This major contract award includes a diverse array of Viasat capabilities recently assessed, tested and validated to enable new concepts of operation (CONOPS), improve situational awareness, avoid fratricide and improve operational mission effects for Special Operations Forces.

The IDIQ contract is structured to expand and evolve over time, keeping pace with rapid technology advancements in mobile networking, cybersecurity and broadband satellite communications technology sectors. The flexible nature of the IDIQ will allow Special Operations Command (SOCOM) to rapidly acquire, deploy and evolve a wide variety of new operational capabilities, terminals, products, systems, services, support and sustainment in support of current and future SOCOM missions.

"We at Viasat have a deep and enduring commitment to our growing partnership with SOCOM. As a part of that commitment we continue to exploit opportunities to apply our cutting edge commercial technologies to rapidly develop and deploy new and advanced military operational capabilities in support of SOCOM's most critical missions," said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems Viasat. "This sole source award establishes a comprehensive contract vehicle enabling SOCOM to rapidly acquire and deploy these new and modern capabilities in support of evolving mission scenarios faster than ever before."

The IDIQ contract award is purposefully aligned with current Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives to modernize the military's tactical network. In recent statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Raymond A. Thomas, III, Commander USSOCOM discussed this need to be able to rapidly transform capabilities: "While we are fully committed to winning the current fight, we are simultaneously working to prepare for the conflicts of tomorrow. We are always searching for improvements and relentlessly pursuing our next advantage."

This contract vehicle will help ensure SOCOM has a modern network with tactical systems that are agile and responsive to the complex requirements of the multi-domain battlespace, while assuring that deployed systems remain flexible enough to continuously evolve and adapt today's rapidly advancing technologies associated with mobile networking, information technology, cybersecurity and broadband satellite communications.

About ViasatViasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 30 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Forward Looking StatementThis press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include statements about the Viasat awarded IDIQ, including total award amount, and Special Operations Forces use of Viasat's technology for advanced equipment, systems, services and support to significantly modernize ground/air situational awareness, tactical data links, terrestrial networking, ISR, tactical satellite communications, information assurance, network management and cybersecurity. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks associated with Viasat's technology, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in performance, and the Company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits of its technologies, in general. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.